Warren Barguil expelled from Vuelta by Sunweb for not following team plan

(AFP) – Warren Barguil was thrown out of the Vuelta a Espana by his Sunweb team on Saturday for failing to follow team orders.

Barguil had been lying in 13th overall, less than two minutes behind race leader Chris Froome, but failed to fall back to help Sunweb’s leader Wilco Kelderman after a puncture in Friday’s seventh stage.

“Team Sunweb have decided to withdraw Warren Barguil from the Vuelta a Espana,” the German team said in a statement.

Kelderman lost 17 seconds on Friday’s stage to slip behind Barguil to 14th in the general classification.

“I have to leave the Vuelta by the decision of the team,” said Barguil. “I feel very well and have good legs. I see myself in different a role and am eager to attack in the mountains, as I did in the Tour.

“The Vuelta is a great race and it is disappointing to leave but this is a decision from the team that I need to accept.”